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New choppers for better support

UH-72 Lakota Helicopters unveiled

Posted:
05/04/2013 02:46:32 PM MDT

LAS CRUCES - Support for U.S. and New Mexico homeland security missions conducted by the New Mexico National Guard, and search and rescue operations throughout southern New Mexico, are about to get a significant boost.

New Mexico National Guard rolled out four new UH-72 Lakota helicopters that could be used for those operations. The new helicopters were unveiled at the National Guard's Aviation Hangar, 8950 Zia Blvd., at Las Cruces International Airport.

The light utility helicopter replaces one OH-58, a Vietnam-vintage chopper flown until recently by the National Guard's Charlie Company, 3-140th Aviation, based in Las Cruces.

Guard officials said the new aircraft will greatly enhance abilities to support national and state Homeland Security missions, counter drug operation missions, and law enforcement support missions.